Sudbury selectmen await appraisal of Johnson Farm land

Thursday

Jul 24, 2014 at 11:26 AMJul 24, 2014 at 11:26 AM

By Scott O'ConnellDaily News Staff

SUDBURY - Selectmen are awaiting an appraisal they've ordered of the Johnson Farm property as they weigh whether to buy the land from a developer, according to the board's chairman.But Chuck Woodard said the board hasn't yet determined how it would pay for the 189 Landham Road parcel, which developer Robert Moss has offered for $3.7 million, nor how the acquisition process would play out should selectmen choose to go through with the purchase."We haven't gotten that far," he said. "The first thing you have to do is due diligence."But Woodard said the board is very interested in the 36-acre property, on which Moss had planned to build a housing development."I don't think we'd announce (the offer) unless we were serious," he said.Moss's proposition, which comes after years of permitting issues and litigation that have bogged down his building plans, was also welcomed by neighbors who have vigorously opposed the project."I think our clients are delighted the developer has made this offer," said attorney Jonathan Witten, who represents three Sudbury residents who appealed the town's conditional approval of Johnson Farm two years ago. "They certainly hope the town accepts."Selectmen have 60 days to make their decision, after all parties involved in the Johnson Farm case agreed to postpone an adjudicatory hearing on the matter that had been scheduled for Thursday in the state department of environmental protection's office of appeals.If the town declines to buy the land, Moss will continue his push to build on the property, the developer's attorney, Peter Tamm, said on Wednesday.The latest version of Moss's proposal is to construct 60 apartments and eight townhomes on the site.Considering the strong opposition to the project, Woodard said the developer's offer to sell was not a shock."I was not surprised, given the amount of time and effort he has spent on the project and what he has to show for it today," he said.Scott O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottOConnellMW